Overcome the Fears That Are Holding You Back

When we put something off, it’s easy to label ourselves as lazy or unmotivated. But what if procrastination isn’t about laziness at all? Often, it’s about fear. Fearful procrastination happens when the task in front of us feels too risky, too uncertain, or too overwhelming to face.

Here’s the truth: fear is a powerful force. It can paralyze us, keep us stuck, and even convince us that we’re incapable of moving forward. But fear doesn’t have to win.

What Drives Fearful Procrastination?

Fearful procrastination can stem from a variety of sources. For example:

• Fear of failure – “What if I try and it doesn’t work out?”
• Fear of success – “What if this actually works and everything changes?”
• Fear of others’ opinions – “What will people think of me?”
• Fear of the unknown – “I’m not sure what’s on the other side of this.”
• Financial fears – “What if this costs me more than I can afford?”
• Family or relational fears – “How will this impact the people I care about?”

Fear can also be vague and unnamed, creating a web of anxiety that makes it hard to move forward. When fear and procrastination combine, they form a cycle that’s difficult to break: we procrastinate because we’re afraid, and then we feel worse about ourselves, which reinforces the fear.

Strategies to Overcome Fearful Procrastination

1. Practice “Fearcasting”

Tim Ferriss, author and entrepreneur, describes “fearcasting” as a way to strip fear of its power by examining it clearly. Here’s how it works:

• Name your fear. Identify the worst possible outcome of the task or decision. Be specific.
• Evaluate the likelihood. How likely is it that this worst-case scenario will actually happen?
• Plan your recovery. If the worst did happen, what would it realistically take to recover?

When you shine a light on your fears, they often shrink. For example, you might realize that even if a church leadership meeting doesn’t go perfectly, you can recover and try again.

2. Face Small Doses of Fear with Positive Self-Talk

Studies show that staying with a fear for as little as 30 seconds, while practicing positive self-talk, can begin to weaken its hold on you. Here’s how to try it:

• Identify something small that scares you and lean into it for a short time.
• As you face the fear, remind yourself: “This isn’t as bad as I thought.”
• Over time, this builds your tolerance for discomfort and helps you take bigger steps.

3. Seek Accountability and Community

Fear thrives in isolation. But when you bring it into the light and share it with someone you trust, it loses much of its power. Here’s how:

• Be honest about your fear with a supportive friend, mentor, or group.
• Ask them to hold you accountable for a specific action by a specific time. For example: “I’m afraid of sending this email, but I’m committing to do it by Friday. Can I check in with you then?”
• Celebrate your progress together.

4. Use Scripture to Reprogram Your Mind

The Bible offers countless reminders to trust God and not be afraid. Verses like, “Perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18) or “Do not fear, for I am with you” (Isaiah 41:10) can become powerful tools to combat fear. When fear arises, repeat these truths to yourself and let them reshape your perspective.

Turning Fear into a Motivator

What if fear could actually work for you instead of against you? By reframing fear as a signal to pay attention and take action, you can transform it into a motivator. Instead of letting fear paralyze you, let it propel you. “I’m going to tackle my biggest writing struggles specifically because I’m so afraid I’ve been putting it off!”

Fearful procrastination isn’t a life sentence. By practicing these strategies, you can break the cycle and take steps toward the life and calling God has for you.

Action Step: Identify one fear that’s driving procrastination in your life. Write it down, and then try the fearcasting exercise. What’s the worst that could happen, and how would you recover? Share your insights with someone you trust.

All the Types of Procrastination:

In this series on different types of procrastination, here are 6 types we’ll explore:

1. Fearful Procrastination – Driven by fear of failure, success, or others’ opinions.
2. Uncertain Procrastination – Caused by lack of clarity about what to do next.
3. Perfectionism Procrastination – Delaying because you feel you can’t do it perfectly.
4. Wisdom Procrastination – Resistance to tasks that don’t align with your skills or passions.
5. Control Procrastination – Putting off tasks as a form of rebellion against external expectations.
6. Lazy Procrastination – When you just don’t want to do the work.